British counter-terrorism police have arrested a 25-year-old dual U.K.-Iranian national in London as part of an investigation into a suspected plot involving RAF Fairford, an air base in western England used by U.S. forces for missions against Iran. Police said the person was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
The arrest follows a large police operation near the base on Sunday, when officers detained five British men in their 20s on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. The men were subsequently released without charge on police bail, subject to conditions. Authorities have not publicly established that they intended to attack the base.
Police said the operation was prompted by several pieces of information, including a local farmer’s report about men near Fairford in three vans. Detectives said petrol was found in the vehicles, but no improvised explosive device was discovered. The Times also reported that one of the men called emergency services shortly before the arrests.
Investigators are examining several possible explanations, including whether a foreign state was involved. Senior counter-terrorism official Vicki Evans described the investigation as complex and said specialist teams were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry. No finding of foreign involvement has been announced.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday that the incident might have an Iranian connection and that Britain was working closely with the United States. Iran rejected allegations of involvement as baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran on Thursday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not have released the five men and previously asserted that those involved had planned significant damage. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also suggested a foreign actor was connected. Those statements remain separate from the evidence police have publicly confirmed. The investigation remains ongoing, and the arrested person has not been reported charged with an offence.